Bengaluru’s public playgrounds are facing alarming levels of neglect, with years of poor maintenance now endangering the safety of residents, especially children. The tragic death of an 11-year-old boy at Rajashankar Park in Malleswaram, where a corroded iron gate collapsed on him, has brought renewed focus to the decaying state of the city’s parks. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body responsible for maintaining these spaces, has been criticised for its inadequate response to multiple complaints about the dilapidated infrastructure. Despite repeated warnings from local residents, no repairs were made to the park’s gate prior to the incident. The death has cast a spotlight on the longstanding neglect of public infrastructure in Bengaluru, especially in playgrounds frequented by children and seniors.
A visit to several other BBMP-maintained playgrounds across the city reveals a grim picture. In Rajajinagar’s 19th H Cross Road playground, only one gate was operational, with children reporting that the iron fencing had been removed during a local festival. Colonel Vasanth Playground in Vyalikaval presented similar hazards, with corroded gates and litter posing a risk to users. Despite their popularity with families, these playgrounds lack adequate supervision, and routine maintenance is often delayed or ignored. In another instance, the HAL 3rd Stage playground showed clear signs of neglect, with garbage accumulating for months behind the stadium. Weak gates and uncollected litter further threaten the safety of visitors.
Data reveals that BBMP allocates a minimal portion of its annual budget for playground upkeep, leading to a dire state of infrastructure across the city. While some areas receive occasional grants for infrastructure improvements, these funds are rarely sufficient to address the growing backlog of repair and maintenance work. The BBMP’s projects cell, which oversees playgrounds and parks, suffers from a shortage of staff at the ward level, making it difficult to monitor these public spaces effectively. Without proper oversight, Bengaluru’s playgrounds continue to deteriorate, placing citizens at risk.
From a sustainability perspective, the lack of attention to public parks not only diminishes their aesthetic value but also hampers environmental conservation efforts. Well-maintained parks serve as essential green lungs for urban areas, helping reduce pollution and improve the quality of life for residents. The persistent neglect of Bengaluru’s playgrounds, however, undermines these benefits and raises questions about the city’s commitment to sustainable urban planning. Regular upkeep of these spaces is critical not just for safety but also for environmental sustainability, as parks and playgrounds play a pivotal role in balancing urban ecosystems.
The death of the young boy at Rajashankar Park is a tragic reminder of the cost of neglect. His family’s decision to donate his eyes offers a poignant human angle to the story, reflecting a desire to bring hope out of tragedy. However, it also underscores the urgent need for BBMP and other civic authorities to prioritise public safety and act swiftly to prevent further tragedies. Public infrastructure, especially playgrounds, must receive the necessary attention and funding to ensure they remain safe and accessible to all.
